1997 Toyota Avalon Transmission and drivetrain Problems

“My spouse had driven our 1997 Toyota Avalon to our dentists office for a scheduled appointment. She pulled into the parking lot and turned off the engine ignition switch and removed the key. While she was gathering her personal items to take into the dentists office with her she failed to notice that the gearshift selector was still in the drive position. (according to a Toyota service manager and manufacturer rep. …”

“Dealer serviced transmission with a flush and fluid replacement at 120,406 miles. Also, timing belt was replaced and coolant flush done. Eight weeks later, transmission failed completely. Was on 250 mile trip, felt bumping which thought may be rough road condition, then when close to destination, car would not move after stopping at stop light. Diagnosis was complete transmission failure. Dealer would not concede any responsibility to contributing to failure of transmission although dealer could not identify any other Toyota Avalon transmission failures. …”

“Car was bought used in 2006 with 115,000 miles. The key can be taken out of the ignition when the car is in any gear( rather than only when it is in park) . This creates a very dangerous situation due to the fact that the car could begin rolling once you leave the car. This has already happened once without any consequences, but could be very dangerous in the future.”

“Transmission failed, causing the transmission to lose internal pressure, thereby loosening gear connection. The result of the lost pressure causedllo the vehicle to lose speed suddenly, even as the engine continued to rev . The transaxle assembly failed.”

“When accelerating into traffic from a stop, the traction control system engages too quickly and stays engaged too long, severely reducing power available to properly merge into traffic.”